Train services on the Bremen–Hamburg route have resumed after a collision between an ICE train and a truck at a level crossing in Hamburg-Rönneburg.
According to initial reports, the truck was positioned on the tracks at the Reller railway crossing when the collision took place. The impact caused extensive damage to the front section of the ICE train, the truck, and railway infrastructure. Emergency services, including fire and rescue teams, responded with over 100 personnel. A rescue helicopter was also deployed, Abendblatt reports.
The train was carrying 291 passengers at the time of the accident. While most were uninjured, 25 individuals sustained injuries, some of whom required hospital treatment. The affected train was evacuated, and uninjured passengers were transported onward via alternative means.
The truck driver, a 34-year-old Romanian national, was taken into custody and is under investigation on suspicion of negligent homicide and interference with road traffic. Breath alcohol and drug tests reportedly returned negative results. The train driver did not sustain physical injuries but was assessed following the incident.
Infrastructure damage and service restoration
Following the collision, the affected railway section was closed to allow for investigation and recovery operations. The scene was declared a crime scene by authorities, restricting access until late in the evening when it was handed over to railway technicians.
During the night, the damaged ICE train was removed from the site. Crews also worked on clearing debris, including rail components that had been scattered along the tracks. By the early hours of February 12, one of the two tracks was reopened, allowing for limited train movements. Passengers traveling on the route have been advised to check for updated schedule information due to ongoing disruptions.
Investigations into the cause of the accident are ongoing.
